Meet Bunny Lewis | Jr Stylist, Tattoo Apprentice, Social Media Manager, Event Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bunny Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bunny, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career to truly keep in touch with my roots and be true to myself. My atoms gravitate towards art and feelings, deep emotions. As a punk kid growing up in the 2000s, your friend is the Internet. Tumblr ruled my world, and Facebook was hot with all my friends and their mothers (literally). I remember being a child and having creativity constantly seem to get in my way. I was forlorn, and felt lifeless. But my friends online never had a problem with me. I’d see my buddies bleach their own hair, and next thing you know the bathroom is covered in pink ManicPanic and scattered makeup trailed behind me. The color in my hair against my all black clothes made my soul glow, and my heart burst into my chest. I believe it was in that moment the power of hair, makeup, and individuality all made sense at once. I wanted to bottle this feeling up and give it to every person I loved, and that eventually came to me realizing I longed to serve people hospitality, and kindness. School dampened my spirit, and I almost gave up. I started looking at other options. My heart ached for creativity, but perhaps justice was what I was put here for. I toyed with the idea of being a Threat Assessor, but my heart kept yearning for connection rather than conviction. As I was in this space between two worlds, I realized hair wasn’t the only art I could excel at. Tattooing, graphic design, and crafting jewelry was all that held me up. Once I truly got behind the chair at Honeybee, my light began to glow. My first client was a cancer survivor. She had a unique cancer, and had been a Homeland Security Attourney. She was asking for a mohawk after leaving her job of over a decade to become a Rockstar. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. I buzzed off her hair while we reminisced and shared stories. She left feeling like a new woman, and I felt it emanating off of her when she hugged me goodbye. Another defining moment for me- Art had once again breathed life into a precious human just as it had done unto me so long ago. Not to mention I now work at an incredible, beautiful salon that is fully inclusive. It has served as a safe space to ALL, they encourage my creativity in every way it seems to manifest, which both had been a huge fight for me in my search for a home in my career. Since then I have been a huge part of important days! Weddings, Graduations, Breakups, New beginnings… As I look back on my life, there are so many instances where this is true. It warms my heart.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is punk personified by a fairy with a purpose. I have been truly giving myself the benefit of the doubt lately and embracing when my art is adored. My art makes people feel affirmed. It makes them comfortable in their bodies, around their faces. It makes them feel less anxious, less overstimulated, and more in control of their own existence. The salon is essentially a Create Your Character experience for many with the Collab artists we have being able to do tats and med spa services. I have some pretty amazing people come in and get wicked cool transformations before my very eyes. I get to witness my clients choose to go out of their comfort zone almost daily with their appearance- something many hold dear.
It was not easy to get to where I am today. Various things kept me from graduating highschool, and as a foster child the system was not kind to me. I worked in a salon that didn’t support me the way I needed it, and felt like quitting. Even with the forms disappointment and abuse I faced, I had it much better than some. The people I met, the friends I grew up with, and the children I lived with and loved were all incredibly broken. All had their own reasons, their own challenges with adversity and abuse. But with this came the challenge of hurt people hurting people. Boundaries had to be drawn, things had to be said, people had to change, including myself. Therapy, removing myself from places that do not serve me, and the support of my loved ones got me through my challenges. I’ve learned that everybody deserves a chance, and that believing in yourself and manifesting your future works, it is no pipe dream, there is no scam. If it is meant to be, it will happen and it will be beautiful. Put the hard work in and you will reap the benefits of it in way you expected, or potentially in a way you’d never even imagined. I want the people to know that regardless of who you are or where you come from, it’s possible. I want them to know I am happy, well adjusted, queer and OH YEAH!-One hell of a stylist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend to El Ranchero for chips and queso with some frozen strawberry margaritas! Or I would take them to one of the cute places in downtown Woodstock- Bizarre Coffee, Truck N Tap, Pure, there’s a lot of good eats and sips down there. I love the events they host in Woodstock- there is a ton of local artists, farmers markets, local plays, bands on the corners and more in our quaint little town. I love the thrift stores nearby as well. Meagan Elizabeth is a blast to get a tattoo from, and Bizarre is a one stop shop for the best coffee and snacks around. Honeybee also throws our own events and festivals in the salon and the lot outside, last time we had a Block Party! This time the “Hive Harvest Festival” will be a ton of fun with vendors, food trucks, live music, and more! The Little Sober Bar also has a festival in the summer called “Not ATypical Festival” that is free to attend, extremely interactive and has loads of cool vendors as well. We sponsored their next festival, so we hope to see you there! Atlanta is full of popups with Artists, Musicians, Thrifting vendors, Up and coming restaurants, (Shoutout Girl World Flea markets and Lucky Star !) and tons of tourist attractions. Find the right friends and they’ll take you to a good bar downtown as well- MJQ is a great one to dance at. Cabbagetown has beautiful art on its walls, and anime / gaming conventions and events are almost monthly. There is so much to do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honeybee salon and Spa has ignited me. My passion for hair, makeup, event planning and social media has skyrocketed since being surrounded by the beautiful people of the Hive. My personal identity has felt refined and I have been a less apologetic person since I have been gifted this role. As fearless leaders, Tiffany and Stephanie step up to bat daily with challenges of various sorts that seem to be spearheaded by confidence and feminine rage. They have both shared limitless amounts of love, support, information, and advice since I met them. I’ve been granted the opportunity to fully flesh out almost all of my ideas, and plan incredible community events with their support. My loyalty and love for them is a healthy and undying one. I consider myself quite lucky to be surrounded by the other great folk at Honeybee as well. My friends there have helped me curate myself into a better Bunny. I’d like to especially shout out my two bosses, Tiffany and Stephanie, as they are not only my bosses but they are two of the most influential women in my life. I’d also love to shoutout my tattooing mentor, Meagan Elizabeth. She has also offered me unwavering support, hapless amounts of understanding and patience, and incredible advice on my newfound career in tattoos. We took to each other nearly immediately and I sit comfortably tucked under her wing. She is an incredible artist that has the soul of a saint, who listens to dad rock and Chappell Roan. The last shoutout I’d like to give is to my friends and family, without them I truly would be nothing. My inner circle of friends have pushed me so far, and held me in their arms when I felt like it simply wasn’t possible for me to go on. Now they flourish alongside me, and we have learned how to hold each other up when it matters most. I love all of these people with my whole self.

Website: https://honeybee-salon.com

Instagram: ragebunniehair , ragebunnie

Image Credits
Haley Noelle Photography
Cover to Cover Portraiture